as in environment
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded young, innovative artists thrive in the freewheeling milieu that a big city offers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word milieu distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of milieu are background, environment, mise-en-scène, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

Where would background be a reasonable alternative to milieu?

Although the words background and milieu have much in common, background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

When is it sensible to use environment instead of milieu?

The meanings of environment and milieu largely overlap; however, environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

In what contexts can mise-en-scène take the place of milieu?

While the synonyms mise-en-scène and milieu are close in meaning, mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

When can setting be used instead of milieu?

The words setting and milieu can be used in similar contexts, but setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of milieu The series feels grounded in the Walkers’ immigrant milieu. Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025 The culture of a milieu, a country, or a tribal bubble? Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 June 2025 Johnson was born in 1977, into a middle-class milieu: his mother was a poet and a college professor, his father an artist and a Vietnam vet. Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 30 May 2025 In both his fiction, including the ravishing short-story collection Maggie Brown & Others, and his essays, Orner mulls over his experiences growing up Jewish in Chicago and its North Shore suburbs, a milieu rife with struggle, longing, anger, secrets, lies, and love. Donna Seaman june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for milieu
Recent Examples of Synonyms for milieu
Noun
  • World Atlas is a global geography resource providing information on developments in sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics, travel and more, its website says.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
  • Charities and Planned Giving For charities and planning giving experts, these complications will need to be addressed to help donors in the new environment.
    Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • With its moody atmosphere and paranormal plots, the show offered something refreshingly different from the network's usual lighthearted fare.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 13 July 2025
  • Developed by Indigo Road Hospitality with interiors by B. Berry and architecture by Neil Stevenson, the hotel blends contemporary design with a spacious, residential atmosphere.
    Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Part of the fun of this season, and where a lot of these things came from, was starting to kick the tires on different, for lack of a better word, tropes, and what would this trope or that trope look like in the context of the show?
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 12 July 2025
  • In this context, the relevant comparison is not enterprise value to Bitcoin value, but rather the market value of equity to the (fair) book value of the firm.
    Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Are Nectarines and Peaches Seasonal Fruit? Peaches and nectarines have been cultivated for growth in a wide variety of climates and regions across the globe.
    Hannah Coakley, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025
  • The investing climate is largely rewarding risk—and most investors are happy to accept the gains.
    Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • Other key features include a Sonos surround system and Lutron automatic blinds throughout, plus raised garden beds set alongside an irrigated yard and plants.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 8 July 2025
  • Both add tone-on-tone details including wood panels on the doors and dash, narrow slashes of chrome and a rose gold surround on the floating center console which nicely sets it apart from the storage bin beneath.
    Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Milieu.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/milieu. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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